His words were met with claps and cheers from the crowd, who were asked to volunteer their time or make donations to fight the plans.

Mike Kendrick

Aviation legend and entrepreneur, Mike Kendrick, has also thrown his weight behind a campaign.

The 73-year-old, who has lived in Stanmore for more than 40 years, told people at the meeting that he wanted to make sure that in 10 years time it is still a beautiful place to live.

He said public opinion could 'move mountains' adding: "We can get rid of this planning if we are strong enough together.

"We love living here and we shouldn't put up with something we don't want."

He was recently inducted into the prestigious Aviation Hall of Fame alongside the likes of Buzz Aldrin, Tom Cruise, and John Travolta.

He was nominated for the award by long-time friend and former business partner Sir Richard Branson, following a lifetime in the balloon and airship industry.

Mr Kendrick, who now runs Straightline Aviation in Stanmore, said: "To run balloons and airships, you’ve got to have a determination to succeed, I know all about innovation, pushing the envelope, and taking risks.

"Shropshire Council’s plans meet none of those criteria, instead they are reckless, irresponsible and economically unjustifiable. We’re in real danger of Bridgnorth becoming a white elephant, and destroying its most marketable asset, its setting, if the council’s grandiose schemes are not reined in.

Aviation legend and entrepreneur, Mike Kendrick, addresses the crowd

"It’s all hands on deck now, if we’re going to stop this ludicrous plan for Bridgnorth, we need people to get involved. We are not against sustainable growth but expansion on this scale is unhealthy.

Fears over the potential impact it could have on tourism were also raised.

Sheila Edwards, chairwoman of Save Bridgnorth Greenbelt, said she was 'bowled over' by the attendance at the meeting and heartened by residents’ support for their campaign.

Shropshire Council previously defended its plans.

Adrian Cooper, planning policy & strategy manager, said: "There is no defined design or outcome for the development of Stanmore as yet. A lot more work will be required, including opportunities for local people to contribute, before a detailed masterplan for the scheme can be developed.

"Whilst some of the park is likely to be impacted by development, it is intended that this will be offset by the provision of extensive additional land, investment in better facilities for the country park and through better links between the country park with the surrounding countryside and Bridgnorth.

"It is important to understand that, whilst the current proposals appear dramatic at first sight, they are designed to help Bridgnorth to grow in a planned way for around the next 40 years and it will take a long time before all the areas shown in principle are actually developed."